Bengaluru: The crackdown by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) on banned plastic has yielded significant results, with Bengaluru West city corporation emerging as the top enforcement zone. Between Sept 8 and 26, civic marshals booked 2,876 cases in the West city corporation division, collecting Rs 38.6 lakh in fines and seizing around 12 tonnes of plastic, according to BSWML data.Across the city, officials registered 9,580 cases, seizing 51.9 tonnes of plastic and collecting Rs 1.3 crore in penalty during the 18-day drive. Trading, retailing, or selling banned plastic items attracts a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence and Rs 1,00,000 for repeat offences. Users of banned plastic items are also penalised: commercial users face fines of Rs 25,000 for the first offence and Rs 50,000 for subsequent offences, while domestic users are fined Rs 500 initially and Rs 1,000 for repeat violations, according to a notification. Earlier this month, BSWML announced that throwing garbage on city roads, drains, and black spots will now attract a penalty of Rs 2,000. Earlier, fines were imposed in a staggered manner — Rs 500 for the first offence, Rs 1,000 for the second, and Rs 2,000 for the third, said a senior official. The campaign shows a stark contrast in enforcement styles and outcomes across different parts of Bengaluru. While West city corporation led in penalties and case numbers, Bengaluru North city corporation stood out for sheer volume — authorities there seized 19.8 tonnes of plastic from just 1,406 cases, suggesting large-scale raids on warehouses and stockists. Yet, the fines in North city corporation (Rs 31.3 lakh) were lower compared to West city corporation, working out to just Rs 158 per kg seized, against West’s Rs 322 per kg. In contrast, Bengaluru East city corporation reported fewer cases (959) and small seizures (1.2 tonnes) but still raked in Rs 11.8 lakh in fines, averaging nearly Rs 946 per kg — by far the highest in the city. This suggests a focus on actions against retailers and repeat offenders, where fines are levied more for violations than sheer quantity seized. “In East corporation, there are repeat offenders, wherein, regardless of numerous warnings, they fail to abide by the rules and continue to sell and store plastic in huge quantities, leaving us with no option but to penalise them,” a senior official said. Areas like Mahadevapura, KR Puram, and Bytarayanapura are among the top wards with the highest violators. Bengaluru Central city corporation logged 2,584 cases, Rs 28.1 lakh in penalties, and 13.1 tonnes seized, while Bengaluru South city corporation accounted for 1,755 cases, Rs 23.3 lakh in fines, and 5.8 tonnes seized. BSWML chief executive officer Kari Gowda said: “The variation reflects local realities —with North dealing with bulk stockpiles, East targeting retailers, and West seeing widespread petty violations. Still, GBA has promised to review the penalty framework to ensure fairness and effectiveness. With nearly 52 tonnes of plastic confiscated in less than three weeks, the raids mark one of the most intensive enforcement drives in recent months.”
